Tanzania · Safari

11-Day Southern Tanzania Birding and Safari Tour through Wild Parks

11 Days Round trip from Dar es Salaam Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the undisturbed wilderness and raw beauty of Southern Tanzania
02 Enjoy birding adventures across Udzungwa, Ruaha, Mikumi, and Selous
03 Look out for wildlife such as hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos
04 Walk to Sanje Waterfalls in Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Enjoy multiple game drives and birding opportunities across the off-beat destinations of Southern Tanzania, including Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park, and Selous Game Reserve. Discover the wildlife of each park and look out for the famous Big Five of Africa, including lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and African buffaloes. This journey combines wilderness, varied landscapes, and rewarding birdwatching in some of Tanzania's less-explored safari areas.

Enjoy multiple game drives and birding opportunities across the off-beat destinations of Southern Tanzania, including Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park, and Selous Game Reserve.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 11 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Dar es Salaam, Mikumi National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Tanzania and Transfer to Dar

Our professional driver-guide will be at Dar International Airport to pick you up upon arrival. After you finish the immigration formalities, you will be transferred to the hotel closest to the airport.

Airport transfer, lodge check-in, and overnight stay. Extra meals will cost $25 per person.

Day 02

Dar es Salaam to Udzungwa National Park

After breakfast, you will set out with a picnic lunch and drive to Udzungwa National Park, with birding en route. Arrive at the camp around mid-afternoon for check-in.
Proceed with a walk to Sanje Waterfalls in the evening and return to the tented camp for meals and overnight.

About Udzungwa: Part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, Udzungwa serves as an essential haven for primate species. There are about ten primate species found in Udzungwa, three of which are endemic to these mountains - the Iringa red colobus, the Matunda galago, and the Sanje crested mangabey.

Day 03

Udzungwa to Ruaha National Park

After breakfast, set out again with a picnic lunch and drive towards Ruaha National Park. You will enjoy three nights of game drives and birding inside this park, with all meals and overnight at a river lodge.

About Ruaha National Park: It features open savannahs dotted with baobabs, palms, and acacias, along with the Miombo woodlands typical of southern Africa. Due to its unique position, an unusually high variety of plant, bird, and animal species are found here. Ruaha incorporates the southernmost range of Grant's gazelles and lesser kudus, as well as greater kudu and both sable and roan antelopes.

Day 04

Ruaha to Mikumi National Park

After breakfast, set out again with a picnic lunch and drive towards Mikumi National Park.
You will enjoy two nights of game drives or birding inside this park, with all meals and overnight at Kopje's Tented Camp.

About Mikumi National Park: Mikumi is home to an abundance of wildlife, with the Mkata Floodplains attracting a variety of herbivores, Miombo bird species, and predators. It is also an important birding area, with over 400 bird species.

Day 05

Mikumi to North Selous Game Reserve

After breakfast, set out again with a picnic lunch and drive towards Selous Game Reserve for game drives and an evening walk around Sable Mountains. Check in at a mountain lodge for meals and overnight.

About Selous (Nyerere National Park): UNESCO recognises the outstanding value of Selous as one of the largest remaining wilderness areas in Africa, with relatively undisturbed ecological and biological processes. The Rufiji River and the lakes of Selous are the focal points of life in the reserve, supporting a diversity of animals, birds, and plants. Commonly sighted animals include crocodiles and large mammals such as elephants, buffalos, hippos, and Masai giraffes.

Day 06

Full Day in North Selous Game Reserve

After breakfast, you will set out again with a picnic lunch and enjoy a full day of game drives, birding, and walking in Selous Game Reserve.
You will explore as much of North Selous as possible, only arriving at a river camp for check-in, dinner, and overnight.

Day 07

Full Day in Greater South Selous

After breakfast, you will set out again with a picnic lunch and enjoy another full day of game drives, birding, and boating in Selous Game Reserve.
You will explore as much of the greater south of Selous as possible, only driving back to a river camp for check-in, dinner, and overnight.

Day 08

Drive to Dar es Salaam and Departure

After breakfast, you will drive to Dar International Airport with your safari guide and connect with your outbound international flight home.

Where this trip takes you

Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Sanje Waterfalls, Ruaha National Park, Selous Game Reserve

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Dar es Salaam 5 cities · 11 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Private safari includes:

Special converted safari vehicle
Services of a professional multi-lingual guide
Mineral water in the vehicle during safari drives
All park entry, concession, and conservation fees as per the itinerary
Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
Round-trip transfer to/from Dar International Airport
All safari activities as listed in the itinerary

What's Not Included

Flights not specified
Visas
Insurance
Items of a personal nature
Any service not specified

What to bring

Binoculars and cameras
Shoes
Medications prescribed by your doctor
Other personal items you will need during your trip

Know before you go

There will be long-distance drives because the southern parks are far apart. Roads can be bumpy, and depending on the time of year, it might be hot during the day, rainy, or cold.

The Southern Safari Circuit of Tanzania is a more off-the-beaten-track safari destination. These are the wilder, less-explored parks of Tanzania. Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve are two of the most sought-after gems in southern Tanzania. The "best-kept safari secrets" of Tanzania, these parks are on the bucket lists of many seasoned safari-goers. The Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit includes Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Ruaha National Park, and Selous Game Reserve.
South Tanzania is uncrowded: Southern Tanzania is far less crowded than the Northern Safari Circuit.
South Tanzania is wilder than the north.
Huge wildlife areas in South Tanzania: South Tanzania features some of the largest protected areas in Africa. Selous is the largest game reserve on the continent - four times the size of Serengeti Park and larger than Switzerland.
Cheaper parks and lodges in Southern Tanzania: Southern Tanzania's national parks have lower entry fees than the northern parks.
Diverse wildlife on South Tanzania safaris: Southern Tanzania's parks host an impressive variety of wildlife. This is where East African and Southern African eco-regions meet, so there's an unusual and exciting mix of species.

Logistics